Fewer Than Half Of Columbus 3rd-Graders Met Reading Target

Local school officials are scrambling to improve third graders reading skills before their next testing cycle in the spring. WOSU reports the test scores released Friday fell below expectations. Columbus City Schools said more than half of its third graders did not meet the new literacy requirements to advance them to fourth grade. In a written statement, the district called the results “very concerning.â€? District officials said they are in the process of identifying potential initiatives and steps to take before the second semester begins January 13. Officials have called for community volunteers to tutor students struggling with reading. State test results showed as many as a third of Ohio third-graders scored below the new reading benchmark.